Marty Nemko's opinion-editorial in The Chronicle of Higher Education last spring raised challenges to both colleges and families to each create the "value-add" of a college education. Nemko contended that college students who have weak high school records often drop out from college without gaining much. They often leave the college experience with "devastated self-esteem, a mountain of debt, and a job they could have obtained without college."
Nemko, US News and World Report's contributing editor on career and college issues, cited several notable studies of low satisfaction with college among graduate and lack of preparedness for the work force. Among his proposed solutions: College view guides should include detailed scorecards on student progress.
In his blog, Nemko urges families to save money by making the most of college and to make college selection decisions accordingly:
"Choose professors carefully; for example, read online student reviews of them. Pick the professors most likely to teach you to think and write better and who will inspire you.
Take writing-and reasoning centric courses: for example, rhetoric.
Participate in extracurriculars such as debate, student govt, and student newspaper.
Take classes that expose you to a wide range of political perspectives.
Search out great peer and adult mentors."
Coming up! Workshops on College Essay Writing and Career Exploration (May 2), Register at http://www.whatsyourmajor.net/
Jill Bernaciak at Linked In
My mission is to empower youth with: - The knowledge about career possibilities, and the education and training needed to attain them - The creative-thinking and emotional skills that make for good career decisions and which employers prefer; - And the resilience needed to flourish in life.
